Car Repair Specialists in Eugene since 1973
Some previous Car and light Truck Tips and Information, with Preventative Maintenance sprinkled in.
 
Auto Electrical - Performance and Electronics
Tuneups - What/When and Cost.   Do you need a Tune-Up? What does it consist of?   No Starts A few easy tests for your starter and how to explain your "no start" problem.
Is that Check Engine Light Important? What should I do when the light comes on? Intermittents?  Sometimes my car runs good other times it doesn't or won't start, what's wrong?
Battery Cables  On some cars these overlooked cables are very expensive when they go bad.   Electronic Stability Control - what is it?   How your vehicle can keep you on 4 wheels. 
 
Batteries, Buying, Ratings, Jump Starting   What to look for when buying, keeping them clean.    
     
Engine, PowerTrain and Brakes
A Matter of Timing What is a Timing Belt? Do I need to replace it? What else should I replace?   What is a Headgasket?  Symptoms of a "blown" headgasket. Why they fail.
Automatic Transmission Life  Why many of these expensive components fail.   Brake repair and ABS   Noises, pulsation, material, fluid and problems.          
Thermostats  This little part may be robbing you everyday of precious fuel dollars.   Clutch - How it works
     
Car Repair and Maintenance Costs
Automotive Diagnostic Costs  Why does it cost so much to find out what is wrong with my Car?   Comparing car repair or service Estimates A service performed at one place may be different than the next.
Vehicle Service Contracts  Is buying a breakdown insurance a good idea?   Car Warranty Myth  Who can do the maintenance if your car is under manufacture warranty
     
Maintenance, Fluids and Safety
Antifreeze Why is it so important, why does it need to be changed and how much is necessary.   Oil Facts, Grades and Intervals   Plenty of oil facts, how often should it be changed, Synthetics.
Cooling Hose Replacement  Why they fail without warning, when to replace them.   Oil Filters   The differences between quality cheap filters. 
Child Safety   A few tips to protect our little ones in case of an accident.
   Gasoline Information/Better Mileage  Information on octane, quality, ethanol, additives, storage, etc.
Air Conditioning   What causes compressors to fail - what kind of maintenance needed.   Oregon's Ethanol law  What's in your fuel? Does it matter?
Power Steering and belt noises   Noises, Service Recommendations and belt dressing.   Towing with your Car   Don't end up along side the road on your vacation.
Tire Life - tips to Make your Tires last  Information on tire care, types of tires, tire age, siping and pressures.   Maximize your Car's Value   for resale or just for longevity.
     
Buying, Selling or Recycling and your car
Buy a New or Used Car  Some things to think about before putting down that money for another car.   Oregon's Lemon Law  What rights does Oregon's lemon law give you, when does it apply?
Should you keep that old car or sell it?   Is it time to give up and buy a new car, or not.   Recycling and your Car   Please recycle those old fluids,  Batteries and other parts.
     
Miscellaneous Tips
Critters in your Ducts?  Rodents do a lot of damage to cars every year. They love wiring and heater ducts.   Test drive your Owner's Manual   There is a lot of information in that often forgotten manual.
Catalytic Converters  What that expensive thing under your car does and how to protect it.   Taking that Driver's test  Some humorous tips from a former DMV examiner.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) What is it and where can I find it?    
     
     
Glossary of Automotive Parts   How an oxygen sensor, EGR valve and a few other things work.
     
     
Today's car has more computer power than the Apollo II spacecraft that Neil Armstrong flew to the moon. (USA Today March, 3, 1997)

Many of today's cars have more than 100 million lines of software code running everything from navigation systems to braking systems.  November 2010